Control valve structure and linkage therefor



Nov..14, 1967 s. F. STRYKER CONTROL VALVE STRUCTURE AND LINKAGE THEREFOR2 Shee ts-Sheet l /N VE N 70/? e z MMJZZ I 7/ Filed May 10, 1965 Nov.14, 1967 s. F. STRYKER 3,352,324

CONTROL VALVE STRUCTURE AND LINKAGE THEREFOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May10, 1965 A TT'OR/VEYS United States Patent 3,352,324 CONTROL VALVESTRUCTURE AND LINKAGE THEREFOR Seymour F. Stryker, Evanston, IIL,assignor to Air-Mite Devices, Inc., Chicago, 111., a corporation ofIllinois Filed May 10, 1965, Ser. No. 454,462 Claims. (Cl. 137625.69)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLDSURE A miniature valve apparatus for controllingthe selective passage of air through a pneumatic system by me chanicalactuation of a plunger retained in the valve by a plunger housing havinga roller actuator and a single ring which holds all parts together, thering being easily removable to give access to the interior of the valveand the plunger housing being rotatable after disassembly from theremainder of the valve and indexed to either of two positions 90 apartso that the roller axis may be disposed for actuation of the roller fromeither of two directions at right angles to one another.

The invention relates generally to control valve structures and linkagestherefor, and more particularly is concerned with a novel type of valvestructure which is especially suitable for application to valves ofrelatively small sizes.

The valve structures of the invention are especially intended forinstallation into pneumatic systems and hence operate by virtue of airpressure of vacuum. These valves are used to control the operation ofpower cylinders, other valves and the like, which are operated by air,all of such latter operated structures being generally referred tohereinafter as air-actuated devices. The valve structures to bedescribed use relatively small diameter tubing and miniature fittingsand are ideally suited for use in substitution of electrical switches onproduction lines, in machinery and the like. Such uses include limitswitches, actuating switches, both automatically and electricallyoperated. The construction of the valves of the invention enables sameto be made in miniature and with small and easily fabricated parts.

The principal objects of the invention include the provision of acontrol valve structure which is easily assembled or disassembledwithout destruction or the need for cutting or shearing any parts; theprovision of a valve structure of this type in which there is a plungeradapted to be reciprocated by means of a roller and pushrod and in whichthe axis of the roller is readily rotated 90 without destructivedisassembly of the valve structure; the provision of a control valvestructure in which there are novel means for controlling the mechanicalpressure applied to the assemblage of O-rings and annular spacer sleevesof the valve and within .which the plunger reciprocates.

Other objects of the invention, advantages and features of the valvestructure will become more apparent as a description of the inventionproceeds hereinafter, in connection with which the details of apreferred embodiment will be set forth and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings.

In such drawings:

FIG. 1 is a median sectional view through a control valve constructed inaccordance with the invention, shown fully assembled and with a rollerfor reciprocating the push rod arranged with its axis at right angle tothe long dimension of the valve body.

FIG. 2 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 but on a much larger scale,and with certain parts shown in section that are shown in elevation inFIG. 1. In this. view,

3,352,324 Patented Nov. 14, 1967 the push rod has been fully depressedto establish one condition of valving in the passageways of the valve.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view similar to that of FIG. 2 but in thisinstance, the push rod has been urged fully outward of its housing bythe springs of the valve, whereby to establish a second condition ofvalving in the passageways of the valve.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary top plan view of the valve of FIG. 2 showing thearrangement for changing the axis of the roller of the push rod.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to that of FIG. 4 but in this case the axis ofthe roller has been changed to coincide with the long dimension of thevalve body.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are fragmentary sectional views taken through FIG. 2 alongthe lines 66 and 7-7, respectively, and in the indicated directions.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective elevational view of the control valveand all of its parts.

The invention is generally characterized by the provision of a controlvalve structure which is assembled by means of a single ring which holdsall parts together, and which can easily be removed in the field or on abench to give access to the interior of the valve. In this manner partsmay be replaced or inspected or cleaned quickly and simply, and withoutthe need for special tools. Snap rings of a variety requiring specialpliers may be used, but convenience would indicate as a preference thoserings which can be readily removed or installed by means of any sharppointed instrument. Some rings are of the split variety and others areof multiple convolution construction. All will be referred tohereinafter as snap rings.

The invention is further characterized by an arrangement which enablesthe push-rod housing to be rotated once it has been disassembled fromthe remainder of the valve and indexed to either of two positions apartso that the roller axis may be disposed for actuation of the roller fromeither of two directions at right angles to one another. Other detailsare concerned with the novel means for enabling the push-rod and housingto be readily separated from the remainder of the valve, while stillbeing reciprocable one relative to the other, and novel means formaintaining proper pressure on the packing rings.

Referring now to the drawings, the valve structure of the invention isdesignated generally by the reference character 10. In the descriptionhereinafter, the word valve will be used as a collective word to includethe entire structure rather than any particular parts which performvalvin-g operations. The valve 10 is formed of several components, orgroups of parts, which perform the various functions contributing to theoperation as a whole.

Basically there is a body having various passageways, a

' principal valving cavity or chamber in the body which has thepassageways connecting therewith and provides the multiple packing meansin the form of various suitably spaced O-rings to cooperate with themovable plunger to form the several paths for flow of the air duringoperation of the valve. Means are provided to reciprocate the plunger,and structure for securing the means in assembly with the valve.

It is appreciated that the basic concept of such a plunger type of valveis well-known, but as previously pointed out, certain structures to bedescribed and claimed are believed novel, and these render the resultingvalve more economical to manufacture and service, and more efiicient inoperation and flexible in use than prior valves of this type.

The body 12 is a simple block of aluminum or brass, which is somewhatelongate as shown in the drawings, this configuration being one ofdesign although probably the. most economicalwhen considering the needfor screw threaded receptacles 14 and 16 formed at the opposite ends.These receptacles are required to receive the threaded male ends ofsuitable connecting air conduits 18 and 20 respectively (FIG. 8) whenthe valve is connected into an air system. Another receptacle 22 isformed in the body 12 opening to the bottom thereof, for receiving theair conduit 24. The block is bored transversely at 26 to provide holesfor bolts for enabling the valve 10 to be secured in position to asuitable mounting. Likewise, bracket grooves 28 may be milled or cast inthe block as shown in FIG. 8 to assist in mounting the valve. As will beseen, the pushrod housing is threaded for mounting on panels or thelike.

The body 12 has a vertical valving cavity 30 of cylindricalconfiguration bored therein and connecting with the bottom receptacle 22at 32 to provide a bottom port, connecting with the right handreceptacle 16 by means of a small passageway forming a port 34 andconnecting with the left hand receptacle 14 by means of anotherpassageway forming port 36. The cavity 30 has an enlarged entrance 38thereby providing a shoulder 40 into which a short vertical pin 42 isinserted as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 8. This entrance 38 is oftencalled a gallery or recess hereinafter. The pin 42 is for indexing theposition of the push-rod housing as will be described. The gallery 38has a shallow annular groove 44 spaced from the top wall 46 to receivetherein a snap ring 48 of conventional construction, shown in place inFIGS. 4 and 5, and shown independently in FIG. 8.

Astring of annular spacers of sleeve-like configuration and O-rings islocated within the valving cavity, and held in place by the snap ring 48in a manner to be described. Each annular spacer has the sameconstruction and hence attention may be directed to the bottommost one50 for the description of all. There is an axial cylindrical portion 52with radial holes 54 circumferentially spaced about the cylindricalportion, and each end has a flange 56 integral therewith. The O-ringsare conventional in construction.

Starting at the bottom of the cavity 30, there is a spacer sleve 50,above which is an O-ring 58, second spacer sleeve 60, second O-ring 62,third spacer sleeve 64 and third O-ring 66. The spacers and O-rings areheld in the relationship described with a predetermined pressure, sincethe -O-rings are made of rubber of equivalent material, and areresilient. Pressure is applied by means of the skirt 68 of the pressurethimble 70 that is in the form of an inverted cup-like member having acentral opening 72 located in the upper wall 74 for a purpose to bedescribed.

Mention has been made hereinbefore of a push-rod housing, push-rod andplunger. These three elements are shown separated in FIG. 8 andassembled in several of the other figures. The push-rod is designatedgenerally 76, the housing 78 and the plunger 80. The push-rod 76 has acentral square shaft 82 reciprocally engaging through a square opening84 in the end 86 of the housing 78. The outer end of the push-rod has abifurcated fitting 88 either integral with the push-rod or fixedthereto, and a roller 90 is journalled for free rotation therein at 92.The lower end of the push-rod 76 is cylindrical and provided with anannular groove 94 which receives the split washer 96, the latter servingboth as a stop member to prevent the push-rod 76 from being ejected fromthe housing by the helical spring 98 seated on the wall 74 and engagingagainst the split ring when the valve is in assembled condition, and asmeans to prevent the push-rod being withdrawn from the housing.

The housing 78 is tubular, and has a square cross section passageway 84in its end 86, as explained above. At its lower end 100 there is anenlarged cylindrical bore 102 to accommodate the movement of the washer96 and the flexing of the spring 98 without interference. A stillfurther enlarged cylindrical, bore 104 provides a socket for receptionand seating of the pressure thimble The bottom end or base of thehousing 78 is provided with an annular flange 106 that has two notchesor perforations 108 and 110 which are circumferentially spaced apart.When the housing is engaged into the enlarged entrance 38, the flangedbase 106 fits within the gallery in a sliding fit with the lower surfacethereof seated on the shoulder 40, and with the pin 42 engaging into oneor the other of the perforations 108 or 110. Obviously, the snap ring 48must be removed before the housing can be installed, after whichreplacement of the ring will hold the entire structure in assembledcondition. The pin 42 serves to index the disposition of the housingrelative to the body 12. If assembled in the order shown in FIG. 8, thepin 42 will engage the perforation 108 and the axis of the roller 90will be at right angle to the longer dimension of the body 12.

Obviously the push-rod may be assembled to the housing 78 with theroller disposed 90 from its disposition in FIG. 8 in which case theplane of the roller will be in alignment with the perforation. insteadof the perforation 108. This condition is assumed in FIGS. 4 and 5. In

FIG. 4, the roller axis is vertical on the paper, while in FIG. 5, it ishorizontal on the paper. The difference between the two arrangements isthat the pin 42 is engaged with the perforation 110 inFIG. 4. and withthe perforation 108 in FIG. 5. This is easily accomplished by temporarily removing the snap ring 48, rotating the housing and thereafterreplacing the snap ring. The push-rod 76 is not as readily changedrelative to the housing, because it requires a long-nosed pliers or thelike for the particular type of washer, but this change will not usuallybe necessary.

Shifting the disposition of the roller 90 is simply done in the fieldand this gives great flexibility to the use of the valve 10.

The valve includes a plunger 80 which is disposed in the valving cavityin engagement with the O-rings. The plunger has a reduced diameterfollower end with a rounded tip 122 that engages against the end 124 ofthe push-rod so as to follow the same during movement of the push-rod.The plunger is biased against the pushrod end 124 by means of a coilspring 126 that is retained in a hollow recess 128 formed in the plunger80 and opening to the bottom end thereof and engaging on the bottomsurface 130 of the cavity 30. The follower end 120 passes through theopening 72 in the pressure thimble 70 and its reciprocation does noteffect the pressure applied by the thimble to the spacer-O-ring string.

The plunger 80 has two spaced cylindrical valving surfaces 132 and 134separated by a necked portion 136, the lower surface 134 being spacedfrom the bottom end of the plunger by means of a reduced diameterportion 138.

Movement of the plunger 80 up and down accomplishes the valvingfunctions of the valve 10. This is done in a more or less conventionalmanner and involves cooperation between the valving surfaces and theO-rings. This may be explained as follows:

Assume initially that the valve 10 is in the condition shown in FIG. 3,in which the push-rod 76 is pressed outward of the housing 78 by thespring 98. The plunger 80 is biased upward to its maximum extent by thespring 126 and with the tip 122 engaging the end 124. In thesecircumstances, the port 36 opens into the. cavity by way of the holes ofthe spacer 64, but the valving surfaces 132 and 134 are in engagementwith the O-rings 66 and 62, respectively, and hence a blind end isproduced at the spacer 64. The O-rings are under suflicient compressionsuch that they act as packing means to prevent any passage of air by wayof the port 36 to other parts of the valve 10.

The same conditions prevailing, there is free passage between thereceptacles 22 and 16 by way of the cavity 30. A direction of fluidflowis assumed to be from the conduit 24 to the conduit 20, although this isnot essential. Air follows the arrows of FIG. 3, entering from thebottom port 32, passing through the center of the spacer 50 past theO-ring 58, through the holes of the spacer 60 and out of the port 34.The connection is thus established between the conduits 24 and 20.

Assuming that a moving member 140 (FIG. 2) engages the roller 90 andpushes the same inward, the conditions of the valve are shown in FIG. 2.Both springs 98 and 126 are compressed. The plunger 80 has been pusheddownward until the reduced diameter end 138 is engaged against or closeto the surface 130. Now the valving surface 134 has moved out ofengagement with the O-ring 62 and into engagement with the O-ring 58thereby blocking passage of any air by way of the port 32. The valvingsurface 132 has moved axially with the plunger 80 but has not left itsengagement with the O-ring 66. According- 1y, it will be appreciatedthat this O-ring is a continuously engaged packing member which preventsescape of any fluid out of the cavity 30 by way of the housing duringthe operation of the valve. The necked portion 136 is now disposedalongside the O-ring 62 so that air is free to pass this O-ring.Accordingly, air may now pass from the receptacle 14 by way of the port36 into the cavity 30 through the holes of the spacer 64, past theO-ring 62, through the holes of the spacer 60 and out of the port 34into the receptacle 16. The connection is thus established between theconduits 18 and 20.

The housing 78 has its exterior threaded to enable the same to bemounted in any suitable opening by means of a nut engaging this threadedsurface, if desired. Instead of a roller, other pusher means may be usedto reciprocate the push-rod 76 to operate the valve, but the rollerarrangement is the most common and desirable. Manual buttons, solenoidsand the like may be substituted therefor, but the particular feature ofthe invention concerned with being able to easily to change therotational axis of the roller would not apply without the presence of aroller or some other directional actuating means.

The invention has been sufficiently described such as to enable thoseskilled in this art to understand and appreciate the same and to buildstructures embodying the same. Considerable variation is capable ofbeing made in the details of the structure without in any way departingfrom the spirit or scope of the invention as described in the appendedclaims.

What it is desired to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A valve having a body provided with a valving cavity, a plurality ofalternately stacked annular packing members and perforated spacersco-axially engaged and mounted in said cavity to define a passageway, aplurality of ports in said body opening to said cavity, a plungerdisposed in said passageway defined by said annular packing members andspacers and provided With a plurality of valving surfaces, such thatupon reciprocation of said plunger, said valving surfaces are adapted toengage said packing members upon movement of the plunger selectively toestablish different paths of communication between the ports, a pushrod, an extension on the plunger engaged by the push rod such that theplunger may be moved axially, spring means for biasing the plunger inopposition to said push rod to an axial position with the plungerdisposed toward the outer end of said cavity, an annular recess portionsurrounding the said valving cavity to define a shoulder at the entrancethereof in said body, a cup-shaped push rod housing having an open endand an aperture in the opposite end thereof, an annular surface formedon the open end of said housing, said housing being partially receivedin said annular recess with the annular surface on the housing seated onthe annular shoulder formed by said recess and a portion of the saidpush rod disposed in and protruding from the aperture in said housing,means associated with said push rod housing and said body removably tolock said housing in the annular recess to retain the valve elements inassembled relationship in said valve cavity and thereby to provideaccess to said valve elements upon disengagement of said last namedmeans and the removal of said housing.

2. A valve as defined in claim 1 wherein the annular surface on thecup-shaped push rod housing is defined by an outwardly extending annularflange provided with a plurality of perforations, pin means mounted onthe annular shoulder formed by said recess, said pin means engaged withone of said perforations to fix the relative rotative position of saidpush rod housing, said push rod being non-rotatively disposed in saidhousing aperture.

3. A valve as defined in claim 1 wherein said means to removably locksaid push rod housing in engagement with the shoulder defined by theannular recess comprises an annular groove in the circumferential wallof said recess, and a snap ring engaged in said groove and retainingsaid push rod housing in said recess.

4. A valve as defined in claim 1 further including biasing means forsaid packing members comprising an annular thimble mounted within saidpush rod housing, spring means engaging said thimble to bias it axiallyinto engagement with the alternately stacked packing members andspacers.

5. A valve having a body with a valving cavity opening to one surface ofsaid body, an annular gallery in said body surrounding the entrance tothe cavity to thereby define a shoulder therein, a plurality ofalternately stacked annular packing members and annular perforatedspacers, co-axially engaged in the cavity to define a passageway, aplurality of ports in the said body opening to said cavity and adaptedto be selectively connected for the valving operation, a plungerdisposed in said passageway defined by said packing members and annularperforated spacers, movable axially therein and having the valvingsurfaces for engaging said annular packing members, the packing membersbeing arranged relative to the ports and plunger such that the axialmovement of the plunger selectively establishes communication betweendifferent ports, spring means for biasing the plunger to a first axialposition with the plunger disposed toward the outer end of the valvingcavity, a housing secured in said gallery and having means protrudingtherefrom associated with said plunger and adapted to be engaged to biassaid plunger axially inward, an annular thimble mounted within saidhousing, spring means engaging said thimble to bias it axially towardthe inner end of said cavity and into engagement with said alternatelystacked packing and spacer members.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,902,697 3/ 1933 Ellingsen285-276 2,136,947 11/1938 Morgan.

3,195,574 7/1965 Carls 137625.69 3,229,721 1/1966 Bingel 137625.693,236,251 2/1966 Hansen 137625.68 X 3,253,617 5/1966 Beckett l37-625.693,279,835 10/ 1966 Krohm 287-119 M. CARY NELSON, Primary Examiner.

HENRY T. KLI K S 'SMK a ner.

1. A VALVE HAVING A BODY PROVIDED WITH A VALVING CAVITY, A PLURALITY OFALTERNATELY STACKED ANNULAR PACKING MEMBERS AND PERFORATED SPACERSCO-AXIALLY ENGAGED AND MOUNTED IN SAID CAVITY TO DEFINE A PASSAGEWAY, APLURALITY OF PORTS IN SAID BODY OPENING TO SAID CAVITY, A PLUNGERDISPOSED IN SAID PASSAGEWAY DEFINED BY SAID ANNULAR PACKING MEMBERS ANDSPACERS AND PROVIDED WITH A PLURALITY OF VALVING SURFACES, SUCH THATUPON RECIPROCATION OF SAID PLUNGER, SAID VALVING SURFACES ARE ADAPTED TOENGAGE SAID PACKING MEMBERS UPON MOVEMENT OF THE PLUNGER SELECTIVELY TOESTABLISH DIFFERENT PATHS OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE PORTS, A PUSHROD, AND EXTENSION ON THE PLUNGER ENGAGED BY THE PUSH ROD SUCH THAT THEPLUNGER MAY BE MOVED AXIALLY, SPRING MEANS FOR BIASING THE PLUNGER INOPPOSITION TO SAID PUSH ROD TO AN AXIAL POSITION WITH THE PLUNGERDISPOSED TOWARD THE OUTER END OF SAID CAVITY, AN ANNULAR RECESS PORTIONSURROUNDING THE SAID VALVING CAVITY TO DEFINE A SHOULDER AT THE ENTRANCETHEREOF IN SAID BODY, A CUP-SHAPED PUSH ROD HOUSING HAVING AN OPEN ENDAND AN APERTURE IN THE OPPOSITE END THEREOF, AN ANNULAR SURFACE FORMEDON THE OPEN END OF SAID HOUSING, SAID HOUSING BEING PARTIALLY RECEIVEDIN SAID ANNULAR RECESS WITH THE ANNULAR SURFACE ON THE HOUSING SEATED ONTHE ANNULAR SHOULDER FORMED BY SAID RECESS AND A PORTION OF THE SAIDPUSH ROD DISPOSED IN AND PROTRUDING FROM THE APERTURE IN SAID HOUSING,MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID PUSH ROD HOUSING AND SAID BODY REMOVABLY TOLOCK SAID HOUSING IN THE ANNULAR RECESS TO RETAIN THE VALVE ELEMENTS INASSEMBLED RELATIONSHIP IN SAID VALVE CAVITY AND THEREBY TO PROVIDEACCESS TO SAID VALVE ELEMENT UPON DISENGAGEMENT OF SAID LAST NAMED MEANSAND THE REMOVAL OF SAID HOUSING.